Lyman Knute Swenson
Encyclopedia
Lyman Knute Swenson was an American naval officer. Swenson was born in Pleasant Grove, Utah
and graduated from the Naval Academy
on June 2, 1916. After service on board Vermont
(BB-20) and , he prepared for submarine
duty. After serving on board during World War I
, he was given command of H-6
, 26 May 1919.
In 1921 he returned to surface ships, serving in and , before commanding Isabel
(PY-10) and then Destroyer Division 64. Juneau
(CL-52) came under his command 18 December 1941 while still under construction. The newly promoted captain and the newly built light cruiser
were both lost in the latter stage of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
13 November 1942. Twice torpedo
ed during what historian S. E. Morison
called the “wildest most desperate sea fight since Jutland
”, Juneau sank rapidly, taking under the captain and most of her crew, including the five Sullivan brothers
. This battle prevented the Japanese from landing reinforcements on Guadalcanal
.
For his “extraordinary heroism...daring and determination...” Captain Swenson was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
.
Pleasant Grove, Utah
Pleasant Grove, also known as "Utah's City of Trees", is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 33,798 at the 2008 census estimates.-History:...
and graduated from the Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
on June 2, 1916. After service on board Vermont
USS Vermont (BB-20)
USS Vermont , a , was the second ship of the United States Navy named for the 14th state.Vermont was laid down on 21 May 1904 at Quincy, Massachusetts, by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company. She was launched on 31 August 1905 sponsored by Miss Jennie Bell, the daughter of Governor Charles J...
(BB-20) and , he prepared for submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
duty. After serving on board during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was given command of H-6
USS H-6 (SS-149)
USS H-6 was an H-class submarine that served in the United States Navy from 1918-1931.The Imperial Russian Navy ordered 18 H-class submarines from the Electric Boat Company in 1915...
, 26 May 1919.
In 1921 he returned to surface ships, serving in and , before commanding Isabel
USS Isabel (PY-10)
USS Isabel , later PY-10, was a yacht in commission in the United States Navy as a destroyer from 1917 to 1920 and as a patrol yacht from 1921 to 1946.-Construction, acquisition, and commissioning:...
(PY-10) and then Destroyer Division 64. Juneau
USS Juneau (CL-52)
The first USS Juneau was a United States Navy Atlanta-class light cruiser sunk at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. In total 687 men, including the five Sullivan brothers, were killed in action as a result of its sinking....
(CL-52) came under his command 18 December 1941 while still under construction. The newly promoted captain and the newly built light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
were both lost in the latter stage of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons, The Battle of Friday the 13th, or, in Japanese sources, as the , took place from 12–15 November 1942, and was the decisive engagement in a series of naval battles...
13 November 1942. Twice torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
ed during what historian S. E. Morison
Samuel Eliot Morison
Samuel Eliot Morison, Rear Admiral, United States Naval Reserve was an American historian noted for his works of maritime history that were both authoritative and highly readable. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1912, and taught history at the university for 40 years...
called the “wildest most desperate sea fight since Jutland
Battle of Jutland
The Battle of Jutland was a naval battle between the British Royal Navy's Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet during the First World War. The battle was fought on 31 May and 1 June 1916 in the North Sea near Jutland, Denmark. It was the largest naval battle and the only...
”, Juneau sank rapidly, taking under the captain and most of her crew, including the five Sullivan brothers
Sullivan brothers
The Sullivan brothers were five siblings who were all killed in action during or shortly after the sinking of the light cruiser USS Juneau , the vessel on which they all served, on November 13, 1942, in World War II....
. This battle prevented the Japanese from landing reinforcements on Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
.
For his “extraordinary heroism...daring and determination...” Captain Swenson was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
.